FC Bayern's players have not only created a stir at club level so far this season, but numerous stars have also dazzled on the big stage for their country. 17 players from the FCB squad have already been called up to the senior sides of their respective national teams this season. Had it not been for the coronavirus pandemic, this week would have seen the first international fixture break of 2020. As good a reason as any to take a look back at some of the best performances by Bayern players this season when representing their country:
Gnabry and Goretzka combine for five
19 November 2019: Germany 6-1 Northern Ireland
In the last match of the European Championship qualifiers, Germany beat a plucky Northern Ireland side 6-1, with Serge Gnabry and Leon Goretzka combining to score an incredible five of those goals. The DFB team started the game poorly, going behind after just seven minutes, before Gnabry equalised in the 19th. Goretzka then put the Germans in front just before the break (43'). Two minutes after the restart Gnabry increased the score to 3-1. In the 60th minute he completed his hat-trick, and thirteen minutes later Goretzka scored for the second time in the game.
Alaba fires Austria into their third Euros
16 November 2019: Austria 2 - 1 North Macedonia
After qualifying in 2016, Austria will also take part in the next European Championship, with David Alaba once again playing a major role in ensuring this outcome. This time the left-back laid the foundations for a decisive 2-1 victory over North Macedonia. With a striker's eye for goal, Alaba outfoxed the opposing goalkeeper to give Austria the lead after just seven minutes. In the end, Austria won the fixture and finished second in the group behind Poland. It was only the second time Austria had qualified for the finals of the Euros- they automatically qualified by virtue of being hosts in 2008- and the victory sparked wild celebrations across the country.
The Lewy show in Latvia
10 October 2019: Latvia 0 - 3 Poland
On October 10 Riga, Latvia witnessed a true Lewandowski spectacle. The Bayern striker scored all three goals in a 3-0 win against the Latvians, scoring twice in the first fifteen minutes of the match (9',13'). In the second half, the Bundesliga top goalscorer scored his third on 73 minutes. The star striker ended the game with the matchball, and with that his national team secured qualification for Euro 2020.
Davies leads Canada to long-awaited victory
16 October 2019: Canada 2 - 0 USA
The moment the whole country had been waiting for: it had been 34 years since Canada's men's football team last beat the United States. On 16 October 2019, that losing streak finally came to an end - and in the middle of it all was Alphonso Davies, then still just 18-years-old. Spurred on by his nomination for the "Golden Boy Award", the FCB wide-man scored in the 63rd minute for the Maple Leaf Nation to put the Canadians 1-0 up. After a late goal by Lucas Cavallini (90+1'), long-awaited success was finally assured. It was the side's third win in three games in the CONCACAF Nations League.
Four Bayern players involved, a brace and a comeback
7 September 2019: France 4 - 1 Albania
It was a great day for Corentin Tolisso: He celebrated his comeback to the national team starting line-up with a 4-1 victory over Albania after more than a year out following a torn cruciate ligament. The win for the French was an important one in a closely-fought Group H. With Lucas Hernandez, Benjamin Pavard and Kingsley Coman, a total of four Bayern players made the starting line-up for the Tricolores. The latter netted twice that evening (8', 68').
Coutinho wizardry in Abu Dhabi
19 November 2019: Brazil 3 - 0 South Korea
In Brazil's 3-0 friendly win, Philippe Coutinho put his technical skills to the test. In the 36th minute of the game, the midfield star converted a perfectly placed free-kick to give Brazil a 2-0 lead. The first goal of the evening from Lucas Paquéta (9') had already been scored thanks to some stunning dribbling by "O Magico".
World Cup finalists excel in Euro qualifiers
16 November 2019: Croatia 3 - 1 Slovakia
With a strong second half, Ivan Perišić and his compatriots secured qualification for the Euros. At the break the Croats were 1-0 down against Slovakia. But three goals in the second half put the 2018 World Cup runners-up back on track. Perišić rounded things off with the final goal of the night, securing a 3-1 win for the Croats. The FCB forward volleyed the ball in the 74th minute, leaving the Slovakian goalkeeper helpless as the ball arrowed into the goal.
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